Juan Chou – File under "When cultures collide." Because this new place, in old El Camino spot, highlights Mexican and Japanese casual eats (tacos and sushi) and sake and margaritas. 3019 Juniper St., South Park. juanchous.com

Riki Sushi – This two-month-old raw-fish hangout is known for its Popcorn Lobster Roll: fried shrimp, crab and cucumber with fried lobster on top for $11. Outdoor seating!... Pairs great with sake, natch. 3930 30th St., North Park. (619) 291-1188.

Bahn Thai – This little family-owned homage to the “Land of Smiles” opened Sept. 18. The name translates to “House of Thailand.” Get the pad thai and panang curry. No wine or beer. 4646 Park Blvd., University Heights. (619) 299-6363; BahnThai.net.

Cellar Door – Black Label Table’s not the only underground supper club in San Diego. See this Normal Heights pop-up hosting first-Sunday-of-the-month meals. Twitter @CellarDoorSD

The Foundry – Actually, Rosaria Pizza just changed its name, refreshing itself, if you will, to celebrate a new beer license. 2859 University Ave., North Park. (619) 293-3332; northparkpizza.comhttp://www.northparkpizza.com/.

Hinotez – Word is this brand new Japanese spot is related to the Yakitori Yakyudori on Convoy (and the old one in Hillcrest, which, by the way, was recently replaced with Japanese snacks done under the restaurant name Raku, 3739 Sixth Ave.) But back to Hinotez. 7947 Balboa Ave., Kearny Mesa.

La Playa Bistro in Point Loma - Closed on Sept. 15. Blame the economy, former manager Morgan Lehman said. It also took down their sister La Playa Cafe, the gelato spot next door on Rosecrans. Lehman says he’s thinking about opening a restaurant consultant company. “It’s a bummer that it closed it was a great place, great people.” (Relive the good times, read a review of the old La Playa Bistro here.)

Pannikin downtown – Sisters Vivian and Verena packed up their coffee and teas and spices a few days ago. They’re shuttering after 34 years due to “a landlord issue,” says Vivian Garnett, who was still answering the phone this week. They're not selling anything right now. "It’s just an empty shell. It looks kind of sad,” she said.

The sisters will take time off, travel, then look for another space perhaps in 2012. “Because we do want to reopen we won’t have a huge liquidation scale," says Vivian. "We’re just too busy right now to organize a party.” This East Village location’s closing has no bearing on the other Pannikins. Vivian, whose worked at this G Street location since 1985 and took over management of the spot in 1999, said they’ll keep their phone line. “It is sad, but I can’t dwell on the sad I have to think about the glad.”

ON THE HORIZON

Bolillo Tortas – Because you can’t get enough of a Mexican sandwich called the torta. With beer and wine, outdoor patio, and some validated parking for the Fourth & J lot. 417 Fourth Ave. Gaslamp. Expected October.

The Ragland House – Essentially, another Bare Back Grill (there’s one in the Gaslamp and Pacific Beach). It’s the Grill’s owners and menu, but in the old Ocean Beach Vine location. You’ll find New Zealand style lamb burgers and the all-organic Kiwilango burger and wild happy hours. 1851 Bacon St., Ocean Beach. Expected by November.

Slater's 50/50 – Their “burgers by design” will reach Liberty Station late autumn 2011, their website says. 2750 Dewey Road, Point Loma. slaters5050.com/san-diego.

Pacific Coast Grill – The Solana Beach restaurant moves more coastal, more Cardiff, and will be attached to the Beach House. Same Cali-Asian-Mex menu, with an added raw bar. 2526 S. Coast Highway 101, Cardiff. pacificcoastgrill.com. Expected this year.

Casa De Luz – Vegan, buffet-style, macrobiotic menu is being imported from Austin, Texas to building out their space and should open later this year. This tip came courtesy Chowhound, and this eatery tied with the Center for Integral Studies out of Austin, Texas looks chill. 2920 University Ave., North Park.